I got a call from Catherine at The New York Times requesting concept sketches for a piece in their science section on cognitive rehabilitation, about how dementia therapy is helping patients. As is usual with newspaper work this was something of a rush job, so I had a day for conceptualising and a day for finished art. Always a bit nerve-wracking, as ideas can be elusive, but fortunately, at the 11th hour, the idea of re-connecting strands was much liked. It was then a question of balancing the tones and colours for the finished artwork.]]>stuart.briers@btinternet.com (Stuart Briers)MedicineTue, 29 Jan 2019 09:47:52 +0000Stop Thief!http://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/stop-thief
http://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/stop-thief

Corporate Counsel magazine got in touch requesting a cover image that addresses the need for greater security in the online world. Cyber attacks by hackers are increasing in the U.S. but now there are new efforts are underway to implement data privacy and cybersecurity legislation - new methods employed to prevent hacking. The editors were keen to use a super-hero type theme which I sketched up and submitted a second idea too, a mouse-trap and keyboard combination designed to entrap the would-be hacker.

This is an album review illustration for Prog magazine. A Marillion boxset entitled 'Clutching At Staws'. Essentially an expanded re-issue of what is regarded as their masterpiece. The songs are written from the viewpoint of a heavy drinker so my initial idea was of a pub tabletop with various pints, ashtrays and wet circles with band members appearing in the beer froth. As the character featured in the songs is a strong presence it was suggested instead that this is who I should depict, in a pub, featuring a jukebox and posters from the time (late 80s).

Continuing with a favourite theme, unexplained psychic occurrences from the Victorian era. A little niche I'll grant you, but one that allows for a satisfying combination of elements. A small but growing collection I hope to add to from time to time.]]>stuart.briers@btinternet.com (Stuart Briers)CreativeWed, 05 Dec 2018 18:29:15 +0000Embryonichttp://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/embryonic
http://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/embryonic

I got a request from Regine at Harborside Press wanting a cover illustration for The Journal of Oncology Practice, depicting cancer patients who had received organ donations.

The lengthy rectangular format of the image area leant itself to a row of people and I produced the pencil sketch below. On submission of the pencil sketch, below, I was asked shift the emphasis of the drawing to the patients rather than that of the donor as this was more in keeping with the focus of the accompanying article. It was an easy fix, the donor figure was shifted to the background and the recipients, lighter, and up front. Below the pencil sketch is an alternative colourway which was tried but discarded before the finished artwork was submitted.

In addition to the cover below Security Management also wanted a full page image to accompany the article.

Continuing the mapie theme by merging them with the rear view of a thief in cuffs. It was felt that the result was too reminiscent of an angel so instead surrounded the captured criminal with the birds.

I was more than happy with the resultant spread by Tyler whose imaginative typography really made the image work to its best advantage.]]>stuart.briers@btinternet.com (Stuart Briers)BusinessFri, 26 Oct 2018 13:43:13 +0000Construction Site Scavengershttp://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/construction-site-scavengers
http://www.stuartbriers.com/news/entry/construction-site-scavengers

I was asked by Tyler at Security Management magazine to create a cover illustration based on the theme of construction site thieves and the security required these days to stop them. Copper in particular is most sought after.

Birds are always visually appealing and magpies are known for their thieving characteristics so felt an ideal choice for this piece - stealing pieces of copper tubing. I enclosed the construction site within a dome to convey the security aspect.

As a rule everything starts with a pencil sketch and develops from there but it's easy to find yourself repeating familiar patterns. As an exercise in breaking new ground, this image started by composing simple shapes, working in greyscale to establish tonal values. Once I had a composition I was happy with I then added colours and texture. Trying out different hues and saturation values until the whole felt balanced.